EDITOR'S LETTER

Welcome to April 2011

With two long weekends to look forward to, and the last of the summer sun to enjoy (as well as my 50th birthday!), April is set to be another fabulous month in Cape Town. We have a great selection of events and activities for you to read about on our website and add to your to-do-list.

But before we venture in to April, here is a quick recap of what we have been up to during the past few weeks. On the safety and security front, the GP/ OK CID teams have participated in several joint operations, which you can read about in the crime and grime update article. In terms of promoting the CID areas, a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to get our Facebook pages up and running. They will be used to promote individual businesses in the area and ensure that Green Point and Oranje-Kloof are top of mind destinations to live, work and play. Email us at info@gpcid.co.za or info@okcid.co.za if you'd like to find out more.

Best wishes,

Marc Truss

OK/ GP CID CEO

CRIME AND GRIME

The GP/ OK CID teams have participated in several joint operations over the past few weeks, which have resulted in a number of successful arrests.

At midnight on Tuesday, 22 March 2011 SAPS started a 24-hour crime prevention operation across the Cape Town area. At 04h00 OK/GP CID Security Manager Marius Swanepoel and GP CID Security Liaison Officer Gary Vince joined SAPS Constable Knight and Warrant Office Grouve to assist in the CID areas. Over the next eight hours they tested 26 people with the morpha-touch machine (portable fingerprint machine); the outcome was that 22 of the 26 had previous convictions. Read more

CLEANSING

In February 2011, supplementary cleansing has resulted in the collection and removal of an estimated 7 000kgs (1 000bags) of waste from the Green Point CID area and 11 900kgs (1 700bags) from the Oranje-Kloof CID area.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

OK CID welcomes the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation

The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, a non-profit organisation that creates jobs in South Africa through entrepreneurial development, recently moved to the OK CID area. The organisation started small in 2005, with only one desk for CEO Anthony Farr; but it has been growing significantly over the last five years and now has a proud team of 32. Read more

LIFESTYLE

Outdoor activities for kids in Cape Town

With autumn school holidays well under-way and a couple of long weekends coming up, we thought you may need some inspiration and new ideas to keep your kids entertained, and have fun while you're doing it.

Cool Runnings Toboggan Track: ride 1.25 kilometres of twisting steel half-pipe in a bob sled on wheels, reaching up to 40km per hour! You can control the speed with a handbrake though, so you can go as fast or slow as you like.

West Coast Ostrich Ranch Farm: Just 20 minutes from Cape Town, this farm is the perfect place for children of all ages - they have a playground fully equipped with a jungle gym, swings and a sandpit; guided tours of the farm, a leather factory; an egg factory; curio shops and a restaurant.

Imhoff Farm Stunning views, first-rate food, organic produce, unique shops, massage treatments, beach rides and the Higgeldy Piggeldy Farmyard are just some of the activities on offer at this historical Cape farmstead in Kommetjie.

Read more

INTERESTING NEWS

Africa joins the World Naked Bike Ride

The World Naked Bike Ride was started in 2004 to create environmental awareness around specific issues. The annual event took place in over 50 cities on 12 March this year, including Cape Town.

We spoke to Andrew Wheeldon from the Bicycling Empowerment Network to find out what it was all about: "The event was a peaceful, imaginative and fun protest against oil dependency and car culture."

Wheeldon also raised the point that we need to implement more permanent ways to address the high carbon footprint in Cape Town, such as creating more bicycle lanes and by asking Metrorail to allow bikes on the train.

Read more

SOMETHING FURTHER AFIELD

Seafood Festival in Franschhoek

Give you taste buds a treat and head out to the second Annual Seafood Festival at the Groendal Sports Field in Franschhoek on 30 April 2011 from 9h00 till 17h00. You can look forward to a day filled with an impressive array of seafood and local delicacies, ice-cold drinks, live music and endless entertainment for your kids.

Make sure you try as many of the local specialties as possible; things to look out for include seafood potjie, crayfish curry, braaied snoek and pickled fish.

Read more

REVIEWS

Voila

If I had to sum up the style and ambience of this idyllic spot in three words I would have to say fresh, funky and tranquil. This unusual combination lures customers in, and any doubt left in their mind is quickly wiped away once the food arrives.

The striking pink and lime green wallpaper is softened by the uncluttered design and layout of the restaurant, with simple table settings and sunlight streaming in from the courtyard.

The menu has a range of breakfast options, gourmet sandwiches, salads, pastas, main meals, cocktails, and last but not least, an impressive display of cakes and tea-time treats to choose from. Read more

Rick's Café Américain

Rick's Café Américain is definitely one of my favourite places in Oranje-Kloof. The atmosphere is inviting, cosy and comfortable, with the funky lounge music adding to the ambience. The decor is beautiful and looks like a scene from the movie Casablanca with Moroccan tones in the paintings on the walls and in the style of the furniture.

The 100 year old Victorian building in Park Road is an attraction by itself. The food is out of this world and every plate is presented beautifully. The menu is rather broad with a variety of tapas, curries, salads, gourmet burgers, seafood, Moroccan and Mediterranean specialties. Read more

EVENTS

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

02 - 09 April 2011. Beatrix Potter's delightful story for children, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, will be at Artscape Theatre Foyer during the April school holidays, presented by Stagecraft Drama Studio. Read more

The Cape Town Wedding Festival

17 - 18 April 2011. The event offers you an opportunity to interact with all exhibitors with proven track records of professionalism within the Wedding industry. You will meet photographers, dress designers, jewelers and more. Read more

Two Oceans Marathon

22 - 23 April 2011. This marathon has a global appeal and attracts more than 20 000 participants who willingly tackle 56 kilometres of open road and challenging mountain climbs. Read more

Arthur Miller's Broken Glass

Until 26 April 2011. Broken Glass explores the relational dynamics of a Jewish couple living in New York in 1938, whose lives are deeply affected by the horrific anti-Semitic events of Kristallnacht in Nazi Germany. Sir Antony Sher will be joined by a star-studded South African cast. Read more

Imagining Beauty Exhibition

Until 30 April 2011. This exhibition offers Capetonians an opportunity to see outstanding South African beadwork, the work of Michael Kra's collaboration with San artists; and the edgy designs of Beloved Beads, a fusion of the best British and African designs. Read more

Sound on Screen Music Festival

28 April 2011 - 02 May 2011. Be part of the exhilarating Sound on Screen Music Film Festival, which offers a variety of exciting collections from musicians, artists and the latest hits on the big screen. Read more

Decorex Cape Town

29 April 2011 - 02 May 2011. This event brings together the most exquisite collection of exhibitors, design icons and rising stars, showcasing everything from furniture, kitchens, bathrooms, fabrics, and décor accessories to lighting, fine finishes and all essentials for in and outdoor living. Read more

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot." - Michael Althsuler

Contact numbers

GP CID Contact numbers

GP CID Patrol Vehicle
082 214 3228

GP CID Shift Manager (24 hrs)
071 670 3019

OK CID Contact numbers

OK CID Patrol Vehicle
082 217 1386

OK CID Shift Manager (24 hrs)
071 670 3019

View all contact numbers

Upcoming Events

• Imagining Beauty Exhibition
  16 March 2011 to 30 April 2011 - view details
• Arthur Miller's Broken Glass
  22 March 2011 to 26 April 2011 - view details
• The Tale of Peter Rabbit
  02 April 2011 to 09 April 2011 - view details
• The Cape Town Wedding Festival
  17 April 2011 to 18 April 2011 - view details
• Two Oceans Marathon
  22 April 2011 to 23 April 2011 - view details
• Sound on Screen Music Film Festival
  28 April 2011 to 02 May 2011 - view details
• Decorex Cape Town
  29 April 2011 to 02 May 2011 - view details